An important and often overlooked way to extend HVAC lifetime is one of the simplest to implement – changing your filters. It is also one of the more neglected aspects of maintenance, probably because people don’t realize just how essential it is.
What Happens If You Don’t Change the HVAC Filter?
Furnace filters and HVAC filters do two things. They improve the home’s IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) but they also serve to keep dust and other physical contaminants out of the HVAC’s inner workings. The longer you go without changing the filters the more clogged they become until they are completely useless, sometimes damaging your unit in the process.
How Often Should You Change an HVAC Filter?
Most HVAC filters have a three-month approximate lifespan. However, you should always check your HVAC’s requirements and the filter’s packaging to verify. When considering the best filter there are a few other considerations. The amount of life in a filter also depends on the density of particulates it is removing. A house with smokers or multiple cats, for instance, might need to change a three-month filter every month instead because of the fur and dander the filter captures.
What Are the Benefits of Changing Your Air Filter?
Changing your air filters regularly has a number of positive effects on your health, your wallet, and your comfort.
- Improve air quality – Filters remove particles, depending on their MERV ratings sometimes as fine as the virus level. As filters get clogged with the pollutants they collect, more of the pollutants end up recirculating in the home, reducing the IAQ. Changing them regularly keeps your indoor air clean for your family.
- Extend HVAC lifetime – Clogged filters cause your system to work harder to achieve the same effect. This puts additional wear and tear on the HVAC system, reducing its lifespan and increasing the cost of regular and emergency maintenance.
- Reduce energy bills – An HVAC that works harder consumes more energy to do so. When your system isn’t straining it doesn’t use as much power, and your bills drop.
- Eliminate stagnant air – Clogged filters can cause stagnant air, which allows the particulates and impurities to fall out. This creates an abundance of dust and allergens.
- Better temperature regulation – A clean and working furnace filter allows for finer control of interior temperature.
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